New Year :: New adventures

New Year, new sewing adventures

Happy New Year everyone, and welcome to 2013! 

At the beginning of each new year, I try to take the time to reflect and think about some new challenges I'd like to take on in the year ahead. I'm someone who loves to make lists, lists and lists of any and everything I like or don't like. I used to let these lists make me feel bad, for the things I couldn't yet achieve. 

Over time, I've started to understand that these lists (goals) are still important to have, but if you don't always reach that goal when you thought you would....hey, take a step back and look around at the things that you can enjoy. 

Anyways, I'm looking forward to some new sewing adventures this year and hope to share them with you. 

My first one so far :: LACE :: 

I saw it at the fabric market and just took a yard without any hesitation or even knowing what I would make. 

Subconsciously though, a pretty girly skirt did float in my head, but when I wanted to start the project, I found myself becoming very indecisive on what it should be worked into. 

Does this happen to you? 

There was so many possibilities, I wanted a stretch pencil skirt with lace trims, I wanted a lacey one piece dress, I wanted lacey shoulders, I wanted it in various colours............ I just saw endless possibilities with this lace and I didn't let the fact that I've never worked with it stop me. 

Anyways, here is the end result. 

A circle skirt. 

And, me loving the comfort and wearability of it!! 

There are many sites that show you how to make it, but I ultimately ended up using the method from this site here, (Dana made it)

Waist + 2 inches / 6.28" 

The length was 16" from wait to above my knee.

The fabric ended up being ok to sew since I didn't have to sew much of it. 

I cut one radius (circle) for my lace and one for my black cotton (which is layered underneath). 

For the waist band I made a band for the elastic to be cast through and attached it to the top of the skirt. 

I did have to hand stitch the hem in, but it wasn't too slippery or tricky and since it's black, I just made big stitches as I wanted to finish it fast so I could wear it. And since it's lace, it doesn't really show as it's not a very delicate fabric despite its pretty look. 

And of course, my little girl wants one too, and I can't wait to try it out again. She will surely be wearing it well since she is such an expert twirler  - for hers I will definately be trying out some new colours. 

Speaking of the which, I tried to make "turns" in the pictures so you could see how the fabric falls, not sure that was successful. But I do think its a good fall/winter item to have, and hooray the sun was out for a little bit that day. 

Hope you like it, and hope you try something new this year !! 

Ps. Check back for another little lace tutorial soon. 

Love